DoubleTree by Hilton London Victoria

It was just me and my husband for a one-night stay, and we had a lovely time. The room was very clean and tidy, and breakfast was lovely too, with lots of choice, both hot and cold, plus tea, coffee, and juices. It was perfect for us.

The public areas and staff were great, and I booked this hotel because it's convenient for Victoria Station. But Room 714 was extremely worn and in need of urgent maintenance. On the first flush, the toilet nearly overflowed, so I called a plumber. It was unblocked, but still made a constant glugging noise, and we used the communal toilets to avoid further trouble. The seat was the wrong fit for the pan and slid sideways. The shower door's lower hinge was loose, so it wouldn't close or seal and water leaked onto the bathroom floor. That seems to have rotted the bathroom door frame and made the paint peel. The glass bathroom door's lower hinge was loose too, possibly dangerously so, as the glass might break. The floor just inside the entry was very grimy and needed a thorough clean, and there were stains on the bedroom walls. The worst part was the strong, constant cigarette smell. The hotel sprayed deodorizer, which helped for a few minutes before the smell returned. It clearly seemed to be coming from another room, strongest near the door, bathroom, and wardrobe. I was surprised a Hilton hotel room could be in such poor shape, and we couldn't wait to check out. Shivani offered 5000 H/H points for the inconvenience, though we'd complained throughout the stay. No manager came to see the problems in person. It left me thinking they were fully aware of these issues but still happy to keep letting the room. Would the points have improved our stay or fixed things for future guests? I don't think so.

The rooms are spacious, but feel quite old-fashioned and need maintenance. The bathrooms need ventilation. Breakfast is good, though the options are limited. There isn't much in the room, so you have to ask if you need something like a dental kit.

The location was the best part of our stay. The room itself was pleasant, though it looked a little worn, and we had to call for fresh sheets because the ones on the bed were stained when we arrived. Breakfast was a letdown too: the buffet had few choices, and the hot food was cold and bland. We’d included breakfast in our booking, so being told pancakes and waffles cost extra was especially disappointing. The hotel was just average for us.